[Kale Allerion]

"I'd take him out myself," one voice began between swallows of beer. "But I have the rest of my family to think of. What would happen to them if I...?"

"I understand," a smaller voice replied. "I just wish that someone would do something about these monsters!"

Miika sat in a dark corner of a crowded tavern, eavesdropping. He took another swallow of his beer - not because he liked it, but so that he'd blend in with his surroundings - and listened intently to the conversation taking place a few tables away from him.

"Those Enforcers are going to take this village down, one innocent family at a time!" the first speaker shouted. There was a thud and a clattering of dishes, as if he'd banged the table with his fist.

"Sssh!" the second man hissed. "You never know who could be listening here."

That you don't, Miika thought wryly. He picked up a newspaper and pretended to read.

"I'm sorry," the first speaker replied, quieter. "It's just..." The man's voice shook. Miika almost turned to look, but restrained himself. "...Jael. My sweet Jael..."

The eavesdropper shook his head slightly. This unknown man had obviously lost someone very important to him. A daughter? A girlfriend? A wife?

I know I can't handle this job, Miika admitted to himself. Taking on an Enforcer? I've never tried something that intense.

But, then...it had been months since his last job, and those months had been trying. He needed money - It would be nice to get a hot meal without having to steal it, he thought.

Not only that, but this man was in pain. Even if Miika couldn't save whoever it was he lost, or even kill the Enforcer who had taken her, he knew he had to try.

I may be a killer, but I'm a killer with a conscience. Miika set down his paper and started toward the table where the two men were talking. One was a tall, burly man with dark skin and black hair. His head was buried in his hands. The other was a smaller, fair-skinned man.

Miika approached the table and kneeled down to where the men sat. "Can I help you?"

The darker man looked up, confused. The other man shook his head and said, "Um...no thank you."

"Considering the situation you're in," Miika said. "I think you'll find me very useful." He unrolled his sleeve to reveal an elaborate tattoo - the mark of his former assassin "clan".

The eyes of the men widened. They knew well what that symbol meant. "Tell me who is causing you trouble," Miika said. "And I'll take care of him."